October 30 to November 5, Monday to Sunday

October 30, Monday

UNHCR and the Fraternidade conducting registry in the new shelter

Artisanship activities, guitar, Spanish and Portuguese classes in the school of the CRI – Center of Reference for the Immigrant.

Visit of a monastic of the Pastoral of the Children and a missionary of the National Coordination of the Diocese of Roraima. The objective was organizing a future activity in the place.

Missionaries of the Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation, went to the new shelter of Boa Vista, in the gymnasium Tancredo Neves, and helped the registry of the Venezuelan immigrants.

October 31, Tuesday

Non-Indigenous immigrants leaving the CRI

The non-Indigenous Venezuelan immigrants had to leave the CRI. They went to the new shelter of the Gymnasium Tancredo Neves, where the non-Indigenous immigrants will stay.

“More than half the non-Indigenous immigrants left the CRI with sorrow. They feared not finding the same conditions we have in the CRI today. But some managed to gather and rent a place for them to live together”, said Alexandrina, a missionary of the Fraternidade.

About 140 Indigenous immigrants who were in the Gymnasium Tacredo Neves were transferred to the CRI. Besides the Warao Indigenous people, also some Indigenous people of the Panare ethnic group arrived.

Arrival of new Indigenous immigrants in the CRI

A missionary of the Fraternidade and a Warao Indigenous person participated in an event with journalists at the Roraima Federal University (UFRR) about sensitization of the local media regarding foreigners.

A truck loaded with foods and medicines left Boa Vista to the town of Pacaraima. The material will be utilized in the attendance to the Warao Indigenous people who are in the streets of the town.

A Judge of the Court Sector of Childhood and Youth went to the shelter with his assistant, with the objective of observing the situation of the place.

November 1, Wednesday

Signature of cooperation agreement

Missionaries conducted tasks in the new configuration of the CRI, now exclusively with Indigenous immigrants.

“The newly arrived families reported their problems, asked for help for their imprisoned children, parents and children who are taking drugs, and many health problems”, said Alexandrina.

Medical services rendered and HIV tests taken in the shelter. One-year old baby, who had diarrhea, fever and a diagnosis of chickenpox, was referred to hospital by a doctor who was attending it.

Mutual cooperation agreement between the Fraternidade and the Civil Defense of Roraima was signed.

November 2, Thursday

Panare Indigenous people making artisanship

Distribution of mosquito nets in the shelter.

Drunken people were found and quarrels took place between families.

“We had to separate the children who watched the quarrels, and we conducted activities to entertain them”, said Alexandrina.

Two missionaries of the Fraternidade were attended by a doctor of the Network-of-Light.

Missionaries visited the children who had been run over in Pacaraima and are hospitalized in Boa Vista. The needs of the families of the children were determined.

The missionaries begin to better know the Indigenous people of the Panare ethnic group that arrived at the CRI.

“We perceive that the artisanship of the Panares is different from the Waraos’. They make many bows and arrows and use cloth paint to paint them”, said Claudia, a missionary of the Fraternidade.

November 3, Friday

Warao Artisanship and art Exhibit

In the morning, many drunken people were found in the shelter. It was necessary to call the Military Police to help remove the bottles of drink from the place.

It was determined that five children have symptoms of chickenpox.

Beginning of Warao artisanship exhibit “People of Moving Water”, in the Sector of the Shore of Boa Vista. Besides crafts, also paintings, drawing and photos of the Warao Indigenous people. The exhibit will last for one month, and when it ends, the pieces will be put for sale.

A priest of the Jesuit Service to Migrants and Refugees (SJM-Brazil) visited the shelter to study the implementation of an education program.

Children hair washing

November 4, Saturday

The Missionaries visited the babies that are in the tents of the shelter, and also gave empty bags for the gathering of trash and the harmonization of the areas.

Help in the serving of breakfast and organization of the place.

Activity of harmonization of both containers that serve as office, health sector and place for water, snack and baggage room.

Hair washing of children and distribution of product for lice-removal, with instructions for the mothers.

A monastic and two volunteers went to the shelter, played with the children and fixed the snack of the afternoon.

November 5, Sunday

Delivery of UNHCR identity cards

Organization of material used in artisanship, with the listing of each material and files of the artisans.

Delivery of identity cards that were made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR ). Only those with identity cards will be allowed to enter the CRI.

Artisanship and classes

During the whole week, meetings were held with the women for the artisanship activities of collars, wristbands, skirts and hammocks. The immigrants also had guitar, Portuguese and Spanish classes.

Repairs

The infrastructure works in the shelter continued during the week.